Automatic transmission



A. rw LANE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Aug, I9, i939.

` 4 sheets-sheet Filed March 20, 1929 JNVENTOR.

Il. M. LA NE'.

A TORNEY A. M. LANE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Aug, ig, i930.

Filed March 20, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i iNI/ENTOR.

Aug w, 1930, A; M LANE 1,773,535

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISS ION Filed March 20, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet '5 IN VEN TOR.

H.M.LANE.

TTORNE Aug. 9, i930.

A. M. LANE AUTOMAT I C TRA'NSMISS ION Filed March zo, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR.

atented S- 19a-19.3

'misa STATES time ` ALBERT M. LANE, OF ROCKFOBD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPANY, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS miroiterie rnANsiiriss'IoN The present invention relates in general to i power transmissionsr and has. particular reference to an vimproved changespeed mechanism for connecting drivin and driven ele- 5 ments in automatically variable driving ratios. v

The invention has for its obj ect to provide a mechanism of the class described which will efiicientlyperform in its intended. capacity anisin has been, provided primarily for use in connection with motor vehicles I have elected.

to-show and describe a form o `the invention 25 lhicle assemblies. I wish it to be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to this particular use as it may ,well ndexpression in a speed changing mechanism for other power transmissions, wherein it is desirable to eect an automatically variable driving ratio between a driving element and an element to be driven.

In the accompanying drawings which show the fdrm-of the invention above mentioned:

1 isa lon itudinal section of a mechanism constructe in accordance with my in- .ventionand with certain ofthe transmission arts with which the invention is used in comeof Einationshown in elevation.

Fi is a view in cross section on the line 4 4, ig. 1.

. Fi 5is a detail perspective view of acombine manually operable reversin device and an automatic control for one of t e elementsv I p equipped with an ,anti-friction. bearing asa0 of the lmechanism and i which lends itself unusually well to motor vev Fig; 2 is a view in cross section on the line.

Fig. 6 is a detail view in section taken on the line 6.6,-Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail: 1 represents an engine shaft and it may be assumed that the same is connected with the y prime moversuch as an internal combustion' engine with which a motor vehicle is powered. The shaft 1, as' is customary in conventional types of vmotor vehicles, is connected in driving relation with one part. of a clutch 2 and the clutch shaft 3 is connected 14n driving relation with another part of the y clutch 2. For the purpose of the present description the clutch 2 maybe considered as any well known. type of manually operable clutch as at present employed for motor vehicles or it may be an automatic clutch of the type shown and described in the'co-pending application of Kenneth E; Lyman, Serial No; 317,156. .The clutch 2 isinclosed within a an end wallq to which the transmission case 6 is secured by means of bolts or the like 7. The wall 5 `of the bell-housing 4 constitutes an end wall of the transmission case '6 and. it is made with a centralized openin equipped with a ball bearing 8 through whic the clutch shaft 3 extends/ into the transmission case,- an oil retainer 9 being employed to cooperatewith la'collar 10 threaded on the clutch shaftto close the opening in thewall 5 against escape of lubricantqcontained in the case 6.v Thislubricant seal is alsofortiiiedby a bushing 11 which has an apron overlapping the'ballrace on `the inside of the case 6.

Attention is called to the` fact that the clutch shaft extended rearwardly in the direction of the driveto provide an extended sleeve 12'forthe primary sun gear 13 which is formed on the sleeve 12 'as an inte al part thereof adjacent its termination, e sun gear sleeve 12 as it will now be hereinafter further described, provides an internal bore for the reception of the. driven shaft 14 which "bell-housing 4 and `the housing is made with i may be-'considered as the driven element of p mission case 6r throu h an openingl in .the rear wall 16 thereo the opening 1'5- being` 4the mechanism.k The shaft 14 enters the trans-v sembly 17 and a suitable oil retainer in the form of a flange 18 which is formed as a part of a bracket 19 Which carries the speedometer take-olf 2O and adjacent is mounted the brake bore provided by the sun gear sleeve 12 andl suitable bushings 23 andv 24 are provided therein, and the reduced diameter on the end of the shaft 14 Which serves as a pilot 25 is supported at the termination of the internal bore by means of an anti-friction bearing 26. With this assembly the shafts 3 and 14 are mounted With freedom of relative angular movement or rotation when occasion demands. Y

Meshing constantly with the primary sun gear 13 are a plurality of planet gears 27 which in turn are in constant mesh with a primary ring gear 28.

The primary ring gear 28 is riveted or otherwise secured as at 30 to a plate 31 which is also riveted or otherwise secured as at 32 to a. radial flange 33 on a sleeve 34 which is journaled on an enlarged diameter 35 on the driven` shaft 14, suitable bushings 36 being employed for the sleeve and the shaft. Also riveted or otherwise suitably secured as at 37 to the side of the plate 31 is a ratchet device 38 'made in theform of a wheel or disc. The purpose of this ratchet device on the primary ring gear plate 31 will be hereinl after more specifically referred to.

The planet gears are journaled on planet shafts 39 with intervening bushings 40 and the-shafts are carried or supported on one side of the planet gears by means of one part 41 of a two art carrier or spider in which the ends of t e shafts are tired. This part ,41 of the planet carrier is riveted or otherwise secured as at 42 to a radial flange 43 or shoulder which is either formed as an integral part of the driven shaft 14 or fixed thereon to serve as an integral part thereof.

shaft 39 and this plate 44 is 'riveted or otherwise secured as at 46 to a flange or shoulder on a sleeve 48 which is journaled upon the sun gear sleeve 12 with an intervening bushin 49.

t will he noticed that the bushings heretofore mentioned and those to be hereinafter L5 mentioned are all made With upturned lt will' thus be seen thatthe part 41 of the planetflanges to serve as thrust spacers or else Washers are used in the same capacity to account for end thrusts in the mechanism. The plate 44 cooperates with the' plate 41 to provide a primary planet carrier for the primary planet gears 27..

The plate 44 also serves in a capacity of a combined planet carrier and ring gear in that it is made with a forwardly presente-d integral drum like part 5() in which the secondar ring gear 51 is spot welded or other- Wise ed. This secondary ring gear 51 is made with internal teeth like the primary ring gear 28 and these teeth are in constant mesh with a plurality-of secondary planet gears 52. These secondary planet gears are in turn also in constant mesh with a secondary sun gear 53 which is splined as at 54 on the sun gear' sleeve 12. lt Will thus be seen that the drive for both forward and reverse speeds is taken in olf the primary and secondary sun gears 13 and 53, respectively. ln other Words, it is a double sun gear drive and a spider or planet carrier take-off, the secondary ring gear 51, as previously stated, beinghxed in driving relation with the spider of the primary system or primary gear train.

It will also be seen that the mechanism comprises a primary and secondary planetary system or a primary and secondary planetary gear train connected in lixed driving relation. The secondary spider or carrier in the secondary system and which carries the secondary planet gears 52 contributes to the reversing mechanism. rlhis secondary planet carrier comprises a plate 55 which is disposed on' one side of the planet gears 52 being riveted or otherwise secured as at 56 to a. radial flange or shoulder on a sleeve 57 Whichis journaled on the sun gear sleeve 12 with an intervening bushing 58. The sleeve 57 andthe sleeve 48 terminate in confronting relation with an intervening Washer 59.

The secondary planet gears 52 do not show in Fig. 1 but are clearly illustrated in Figs.` 3 and .6. As are shown in these figures they are journaled on the secondary planet shafts 60 With intervening bushings 61. The secondary planet shafts 60 for the gears 52 are fixed as at 62 in the part 55 of the secondary spider and the opposite ends of the shafts are fixed in the part 63 of the secondary spider or planet carrier which is disposed on the opposite side yof the planet gears 52 from that,I of the plate"55. ,The two plates 55 and 63 of the secondary spider are properly spaced by spacing rivets or the like 64 upon which the sleeves 65.are carried with the'I ends of the sleeves abutting against the inside of the plates 55 and. 63. It will thus be seen that the secondary planet gears 52 are journaled on the secondary planet shafts 60 and that the shafts 60 are in turn fixed. in the secondary spider. Referring further to the connavegas tion by means of a set screw or the like 7].

lt will be further seen that thev part 63 of the seconda-ry spider is made with a journal bearing 7 2 orsupporting one end of the supplemental planet shafts 73. The opposite ends of these supplemental planet shafts are supported in journals 7 l which are spot welded or otherwise secured to the inside face of the part 55 of the secondary spider. Both the secondary and supplemental planet shafts are carried by the secondary spider.

Due to the fact that the parts of the secondary spider are spaced considerable distance apart compared to the thickness of the secondary planet gears 52, the secondary planet Ishafts are long enough to bridge this gap and they are made'with an enlarged diameter as at 7 to provide an abutment against the inside face of the part 63 and an abutment for the intervening bushings 61. 'lhe circumference of these enlarged diameters are mutilated so as to clear the supplemental sun gear which will be more specilically hereinafter described.

The supplemental planet shafts 73 are as previously stated journaled in the secondary spider or planet carrier and project from opposite sides thereof with their proj ectin ends splined as at 76 and on which the centrifugal Weights 77 are mounted. As shown in Fig. 2, there are preferably four pairs of these weights each of which having a collar 78 for mounting upon the splined ends of the shafts 73 for eccentric rotation in iined relation with the shafts. Also splined or otherwise tixed on the supplemental shafts 73 are supplemental planet gears 79, the same meshing with the aforesaid supplemental sun gear 80 which in turn is journaled on the sun gear sleeve 12 with an intervening bushin provided by the continuation of the bushing 68, a spacing washer 81 bein employed between the part 63 ci' the secon arly spider andthe supplemental sun gear 80. I`he supplemental sun gear is mounted co-axial with the secondary sun gear. 53 and these two gears are connected. through means ot a one-way clutching mechanism generally represented as at 82 in Fig. 1 and more specifically shown in Fig. 3.

Any suitable one-Way clutching mechanism may be employed that will serve the intended purpose, the one shown comprises a radial projection 8801i the secondary sun gear 68 signed to the assignee in this case.

projecting into an, open sided space 84 made to receive it in the supplemental space 80. The male part 83 which is formed as an integral part of the secondary sun gear 53 is madewith a plurality of tangential dat surfaces on which are supported rollers 85 which ocn cupy the space 84 and contact with the cylindrical surface on the inside of the supplemental sun'gear. Suitable spring retainers are provided for each oll the rollers to hold them in alignment. For a more complete detailed descriptionv of this overrunning clutch construction re-ference is made to a co-pending application, Serial No. 837,150, tiled February 2, 1929, by-Kenneth E. Lyman and as- The part 63 of the secondary spideror planet carrier, aside `from performing as a spider part, also serves in the further capacity of a ratchet Wheel. l'lhe same in this connection contributes to a pawl and ratchet mechanism which is used as a convenient baclestop for arresting the rotation of the spider in one direction while permitting its unrestrained rotation' in anopposite dlrection. In order'that this part 63 oi' the secondary spider may serve as a ratchet Wheel for the purpose described, the peripheral edge thereof is provided with ratchet teeth 86. ltwill -be remembered that rotation of the primary ring gear 28 is also controlled by a ratchet device and upon reference to F ig. 5. it will be seen that the pawls 87 and 88wh1ch control the primary ring gear 28 and the secondary spider respectively are mounted upon a shaft 88 which is common to both. This shaft', as best illustrated in'Figs. 2 and 3,"ex-

tends longitudinally of the mechanism With in an oli-setti() oi the case 6 and projects through one end of the case where it is equipped with a link 91 or other connection suitable for the purpose so that a manually "controlled lever mechanism or the like may be ective ratchet wheels when mechanism from the primary and secondary sun gears and with the pawl 8,7 engaging the teeth on the periphery of the plate 38 the pri mary ring gear 28 will be held against anticlockwise rotation. 'lhe primary spider which carries the primary planet gears 27 moves forward or in a clockwise direction at a reduced speed. Since the secondary ring gear 51 is fixed to rotate with the primary spider and since the primary spider is connected to the driven shaft 14, the speed of rotation of the secondary ring gear corresponds to that of the driven "shaft and the rotation is in the same direction. Since the drive as stated is'also 'taken in throughv the secondary sun gear 53, it also rotates forward or ina clockwise direction but ata speed greater than that ofthe secondary ringv gear." Since ness is transmitted intothe secondary systemi` `the secondary planet gears meshuwith'the secondary ring gear and since they are carried Vb these'condarylspider, the secondary s ider a 'orotates in a clockwise direction. `otation of the secondary spider makes' thecentrifugal weights effective and the1r effectivethrough the overrunnin clutch which connects the secondary an planet shafts 73 on which ,the weights are splined also carries the supplemental planet gears`79 which mesh with the supplemental s un gear. The edectiveness of the weights is influenced bythe speed ofthe driving element, the sun gear sleeve 12 asan example whichis the same as the 'clutch shaft 8 and the load resistance also is a determining factor in the control of the effectiveness of the weights.

. As the resistance of the load decreassand.

It willbeappreciated that if the primary ring gear 28 were tree .to doet in an anticlockwise direction and with the 'primary spider fixed to the load, the .tendency would he for theprimaryring ear to rotate backwards or in an anti-Cloe wise direction loutv ywith the ratchet mechanism .holding lit against rotation in this direction, the drive is transmittedvto the driven shaft andthe drive is'taken into the secondary system on two diameters`,"namely the secondary ring gear 5l and the secondary sun gear 53. The

arrangement and the cooperative relation-l ship of the assembly/,enables the lload to be moved in a pre-determined lined gear ratio.

The purposeoi the'overrunning clutch connection between the primary and supplemental sun gears is to eliminate the accelerating eiect' oi the weights when they are moved outwardly throughout'i8@o or approximately 1i-80" of their cycle ci' rotation. When they 'are moving outwardly, the. overrunning clutch automatically releases the supplemental sun gear'trom the secondary 'sun gear so that there is no motion transmitted from `the supplemental system to the secondary system lout just as soon as the weights hegin to move inwardly the overrunni becomes immediately e'iective 1 developed hy the wagers are Lhe tierces ansmitted supplemental sun gears. In other words, the supplemental .through the secondarys system for the pur ose4 esi'red.

yThat is 'to say, t eiweights'control the effective planetation of the two systems with the result that the variable driving ratios are 'automatically attained toA compensate for the ldiierence in torque balance between the drivshaft and the driven shaft. Attention is again called to the fact that the drive is taken into the secondary system on twodiameters, namely the ring Ygear 5l and the' sun gear- 53.

'. This of course ellects the planetation not lonly inthe secondary system but in the primaryv system and makes the two systems unusually susceptible 'and responsive to the controlling forces of the weights. As a result lighter weights may be, used than would be necessary were it not for the cooperative function of lthe assembly.

rll`he vpawl and .ratchet mechanism for. holdstem to the primary `ing the'primary ring gear 28 against rotation in a reverse direction operates automatically in that the pawl 87 is equipped with a pair of spring devices in the form of lingers 92 which. project in advance of the pawl and straddle the plate 38 and engage the opposite sides otthe same with -sumcienttension so that when the plate tends 'to move in an anti clockwise direction, the lingers will pull the pawl into engagement with theratchet teeth and the rotation or theplate in an anticlockwis'e direction will he prevented.` ils soon as the mechanism 'goes into a one to one drive, the'primary ring gear then moves iorward or in a clockwise direction whereupon wiping contact oit the ngers on the sides ot the plate will impart a thrust to the pawl and hold it out ot' contact with the teeth'so theta silent ratchet mechanism is thus provided. This silent-'ratchet rnecl'ianisrnY is described and claimed in-the rio-pending application iiled February 2l, i929, by Kenneth lll. Lyman, vSerialv No. 34:1,599 and assigned yto the same assignee'as is this case. llt is ci' course understood, however, that any other ratchet. mechanism will serve the purpose `lout since a silent operating device is preterahle,

l have elected to-show such a devicewhich forms the subjgect matter o' a cri-pending application of the same assignee as inthe present case. v

lt will thus he observed that the pawl el' is under the automatic control of these 1Eriction lingers 55. However, it is also under 'the control or the operator in that the collar 92? is keyed' to the shaft 89 .hy means of the pin 84e or in any other manner suitable :tor

the pur ose so that when the shaft is recited in one irection the cawl 87 will be heid in a neutral position where the action of the i spring ngers 92 is restrained and the nawl. cannot automatically move in response to the action et the lingers either irection. Although as stated the con la' nav/l 23'? is heyed to the shalt tue 1moraine shite lllt ilu

' -nism in neutral, the pawl 88 is ofcourse held or openings 95 which the pin 94occi1pies provide for a limited movement of the pawl independently of the shaft 89 when the pawl is in a position to be automatically responsive to the action of the fingerswhich of course will beat forward speeds. 'When the shaft 89 is rocked by the operator to put the mecha' out of contact with the teeth 86 -on the part 63 of the secondary spider.' In fact, the collar 96 of the pawl 88 is keyed or otherwise secured on the shaft 89 at such an angle that the pawl will always beyout of contact with the teeth 86 until the operator deliberately rocks the shaft to position the pawl in engagement with the teeth 86 and when such is the case, the mechanism will be reversed because the secondary spider will be held against forward or clockwise rotation andthe primary ring gear will be free to float in an anti-clockwise direction. Thus, it will be seen that to reverse'i'the mechanism it will only be necessary to rook the shaft 89 to arrest forward rotation -of the secondary spider and allow for backward or anti-clockwise rotation of .the primary ringV gear.

Referring further to the operation of the mechanism,'itwill be seen that the power o l o ,comes'into the transmission from. the clutch shaft 3 through the sleeve 12 to the sun gears 53 and 13, the sun .gear `13in the primary planet system effecting the rotation of the gear 27 in such a manner as to fulcruin on the ring gear 28 and put a forward thrust ina clockwise directionon the planet shaft Y39 which, being mounted ixedly in the primary planet carrier, comprising the parts A@land el, causes a clockwise rotation of the spider. The ring gear 51, being riveted or otherwise fastened to the drum section of the primary planet carrier is rotated in a clockwise direction at the same speed as the primary planet carrier. rlhe primary planet carrier andthe ring gear 51 arel carried forward in v'a .ratio of one rotation to every three rotations of the sun gear13 by reason of design.

rllhe power'coming in on t e sun gear 53 is applied to the planet gears 52, journaled on the planet shafts 7 5 which are fixed in the secondary planet carrier. rEhis transposition of power causesv a rotation of the planet gears 52 in a counter clockwise direction. However, the gearing is so arranged thatthe sun gear tends to drive the planet gear 52 at a speed 11/2 times that of itself, whereas the ring gear 51 is driven in a clockwise direction at 1/3 the speed of the sun gear 53. This-drive is imparted to the ring gear by the primary planet carrier because itis integral with them. Whenever the ring gear 51 is held against backward rotation or is bein driven in a forward direction, it follows t at the lplanet gears 52 fulcruin on its teeth and cause a foi'- ward pressure to be exerted on the planet shafts A75, resulting in a clockwise drive being imposed on the secondary lanet carrier to'` which the planet shafts are `Xed.' Although the ring gear 51 is driven forward rather than standingstill the relative rotation vbetween the` ring gear and the secondary lanet carrier is thesame as if it were stationary but the relative rotation between the sun gear and the secondary planet carrier is increased. That is to say .the rotation of the secondary planet carrier is the result of the natural planetation effected bythe .planet gears 52.

plus the forward carriage of `the ring gear 51. This increase in the speed of rotation ofv planet system the speed of the secondaryplanet carrier is increased to where it rotates siirtenths of one revolution for every revolution of the sun gear 53, an increase in speed of 100 per cent ovlerthe straight planetary type. The'value of this increase in speed may A be realized when it is considered that the effective centrifugal force is a product ofthe square ofthe speed. The secondary planet carrier speed having beenincreased by'two,

the edective centrifugal force is increased by four.A v

The' weights 77 are ixedly mounted to'rthe planet gears 7 9 through the planet shafts 73,

.journaled in. the `planet carriers 55 and 63,

planet gears 79'through the planet shafts 73,

supplemental sun gear 80, joui-nailed on the driving sleeve 12. The supplemental sun gearv 80 is mounted through a one-way clutching means for v"unitary rotation with -sun gear 53 when a retarding force is applied to it. This retarding force is centrifugal in nature and generated in the weights V7*? through rotation of the secondary planet carrier about the driving sleeve 12 and tends to hold the weights in an outward radial position relative to vthe driving sleeve 12. When this force is eatin@ on the weights, it is felt on the supplemented sun gear 8O through the gear Z9 in a form of resistance rotation. l This resistanceto rotation being the retarding force which causes the supplemental sun gear 80' to be engaged, through the over-running clutch, in a unit connection with the sun gear 53, resulting'in the weights being ulled in toward the center against centrifuga force. This force is felt in an opposite direction to that imposed u on the ear 53 b the driving sleeve 12 and ta en ed t rough t e planet gears 52, areversal of tooth pressure on the ring gear being set up, and a forward thrust applied to it; the terist liro

ward thrust increasin the speed of rotation andar-y of the rin gear 51 an its associatemembers, which inc udes the driven shaft and the load.

When the Weight has reached its innermost position, centrifu al force acts upon 1t -so rapidly as to cause t e su plemental sun gear to release the one-way c utching'means and run ahead of the sun gear 52, releasing it of.` any accelerating forces. which might otherwise be ap lied. .The increase in the forward speed o the ring gear 51 necessarily creates an increase in the .speed of rotation of the secondary system and, this, together with the increased speed of the driving shaft,

forces the process to repeat untilthe speed of the rin as that ofgthe sun gear, 53, whence a one to one drive will have beenestablished. The

primaryV ring gear tends to iioat in a clockwise direction and disengage the back stop mechanism at all times after the speed ratio between the driving and driven elements ha been raised. above threeto one. l Reverse is. effected through the manual engagement of the pavvl in the ratchet teethl 86 of the planet carrier 63 and disengagement of the pavvl `8i' from the ratch plate 38 of' the i primary ring gear housing. `When this operation is completed, power put into the driving sleeve l2 through the. driving shaft 3, passes into the primary system through the sun gear 3 to the planet gear 2'? .causing a. baclr- Ward rotation of the ring gear 28 which is entirely floating so that no eifectwill be felt in the secondary system. Power applied by the driving sieeve l2 to the sun gear 53 is put into the planet gear 52, meshing with the ring gear 5l, tending to drive it ina counter clockwise direction so that backward force is felt through ali of its members, including the driven shaft andthe iced. No planetation. canv occur because theV engagement of the pavvl d8 in the ratchet teeth 86 of the planet carrier 63 holds it against rotation, andvvithout rotation of the planet carriers there can be no planetation of the planet gears.

Having thus described and shown an embodim'ent of my invention, what lllclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: A

L .in an automatic transmission, driving and driven shafts, planetary change'speed mechanism connecting said in variable driving ratios, comprising primary and secondary planetary gear systems, a supplemental planetating gear system, one-way clutching means connecting the suppieinentai system with secondary centrifugal responsive means in said supplemental system, means connect primary and secondary si stems vait shaft, ccmbir gear interponen" gear 51 is substantially the same and driven shafts and meam arranco combined lanet carrier ,and ring gear in driving re ation with the driven shaft..

2. In a transmissiom'driving and driven shafts, a planetary change speed mechanism for connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising primary and secondary planetating gear systems, means for connecting said systems with the driving shaft, a combined ring gear and planet carrier con necting the primary and secondary systems, means for connecting said combined ring gear and planet carrier with'the driven shaft andmeans for automatically changing the speed ratio.

3. ln a transmission, drivin `and .driven shafts, planetary change spec mechanism for connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising a plurality of planetary gear systems, sun gears in said systems, means 'or connectin a plurality of said sun gears with the driving shaft, means interconnect ing said systems,a planet carrier in one of' said systems, means. for connectin said planet carrier with the driven shaft and means for automatically changing the speed ratio.

' d. lin a transmission, drivin and driven shafts, planetary change speed mechanism connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios,coinprising a plurality of interconnected planetary gear systems, sun gears in said systems, means for connecting a pluralu ity of said sun gears with the driving shaft, planet carriers .for said systems, means for connecting one of said planet carriers with thedriven shaft, a ring gear in one of said systems, ymeans for holding the ring gear against rotation in one direction for establishing apre-deterniined gear ratio in the mechanism and means for automatically chan `ng the ratio..

5. .in a transmission, driving and driven shafts, change speed mechanism for connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising a pinrality of interconnected planetary gear systems coairially aligned in the direction of the drive between the driving and driven-shafts, sun gears in systems, means for connecting a plurality of said sun gears with the driving shaft, a planet carrier for one of said systems, means for connecting said planet carrier `vvitl'i the driven shaft, a ringe gear for the system invvhich the planet carrier is connected with the driven shaft, means for holding said ring gear against rotation in one direction for establishing a pre-- determined driving ratio between the driving` for automati-` caliy 'changing the ratio. b

6. lin a transmission, driving and driv .a shafts, speedchanging mechanism for con necting said shafts in variabile driving ratios, comprising front, intermediate bach co aina .f mounted cnc interconnected tiene gear systems, i gears systeme,

tilt

ilo

ias

increase termediate and back systems with the driving shaft, planet carriers in said systems. means for connecting the planet carrier for the back system with the driven shaft and means coacting with the front system for automatically changing the driving ratio.

7. in a transmission, driving 'and driven shafts, speed changing mechanism for connecting said'shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising front, intermediate and back coaxially mounted and interconnected planetary gear systems, sun gears in the intermediate and back systems, means for connecting the sun gears with the driving shaft, a planet carrier for the back system contributing to aring gear for the intermediate system, means for connecting said planet carrier with the driven shaft, a ring gear for the back system, means for causing said ring gear to rotate in one direction only for forward speeds, means for reversing the drive in the mechanism and means for automatically changing the gear ratio.

8. ln a transmission, driving and driven shafts, a sun gear drive and a planet carrier take-off plural planetary speed changing mechanism connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, a floating ring gear functioning as an element in said mechanism, means for holding said ring gear against reverse rotation to establish a. pre-determined driving ratio in the mechanism, a floating secondary planet carrier, means for holding said secondary planet carrier against rotation in one direction for reversing the drive in the mechanism, means for releasing said floating ring gear for reverse rotation when said secondary planet carrier is held against rotation in one direction and means for` automatically changing the ratio. I

9. In an automatic transmission, driving and driven shafts, planetary change speed mechanism connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising in combination, primary and secondary planetary gear systems, a supplemental planetating gear system, one-Way clutching means connecting the supplemental system With the secondary system,

ring gear for the primary system and means for holding said ring gear against reverse rotation for establishing a pre-determined driving ratio in the mechanism.

10. ln an rautomatic transmission, driving and driven shafts, planetary change speed mechanism connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising in combination, primary and secondary planetary gear systems, a supplemental planetating gear system, one-Way clutching means connecting the supplemental system with the secondary system, centrifugal responsive means in said supplemental system, a planet carrier for the supplemental system and secondary system, means for connecting the primary and secondary systems with the driving shaft, a combined planet carrier and ring gear for interconnecting the primary and secondary systems, and

Aconnected in driving relation with the driven shaft and through which both forward and reverse drives are imparted to the driven shaft, a floating ring gear for the primary system, means for holding said ring gear against reverse rotation for establishing a pre-determined driving ratio in the mechavheld against rotation in one direction.

1l. In a transmission, driving and driven shafts, speed changing mechanism for connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising in combination, a plurality of planetary systems, a planet carrier for one of said systems through which both forward and reverse drives are imparted to the driven shaft, a floating ring gear for the system in which the planet carrier is connected with the driven shaft, means for holding said ring gear against rotation in one direction when the drive is forward, means for reversing the drive and means for releasing said floating ring gear for rotation i`n an opposite direction when the drive is reversed.

12. In a transmission, driving and driven shafts, planetary change speed mechanism for connecting said shafts in variable driving ratios, comprising in combination, a plurality of planetary gear systems, means for connecting certain of said systems with the driving shaft, a planet carrier for one of said sys` tems contributing to a ring gear for another of said systems, said planet carrier being also connected in fixed driving relation with the driven shaft and means for automatically changing the speed ratio.

Signed at Rockford, inthe county of Winnebago, andState of Illinois, this 18th day ALBERT M. LANE.

of March, 1929. 

